By Fran Spielman
The Chicago Sun-Times
Copyright 2007 Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
CHICAGO — An assistant deputy chief paramedic accused of inquiring about the race of an underling who asked for time off to visit a hospitalized child said Tuesday he’s so bitter he has no desire to return to the Chicago Fire Department he loves.
“I am so disgusted with this administration and the way they’ve handled things, I don’t want to go back,” Donald W. Walsh said on the eve of learning the department’s disciplinary recommendation.
“The same white supervisor who accused me has made complaints at other firehouses that turned out to be bogus. He’s the one who should be investigated — not me. These people are out to destroy me. ... I have an impeccable record. I’ve gotten decorations from all over the world. But where do you go to clear your name when you’ve been targeted so bad?”
Last month, Walsh was demoted to his career service rank of field officer and placed on administrative leave with pay after being accused of “conduct unbecoming” a Fire Department employee.
Sources said Tuesday that there has been a guilty finding in the case and that Walsh, 51, would learn his punishment today.
“The department has received a disciplinary recommendation and scheduled a meeting with labor where he’ll find” out what the discipline is, said a source.
“After that, he’ll have 96 hours to respond. Some of the charges have been sustained. That’s pretty clear.”
On March 3, Walsh was allegedly on the phone with a field officer, who asked Walsh if a paramedic under his command could go to a South Side hospital because of an emergency involving his child. Walsh is accused of asking if the paramedic was white or black, according to what the field officer has told department officials.
Told the paramedic was black, Walsh, who is white, allegedly said the paramedic or field officer would have to find a replacement before the paramedic could leave for the hospital. In the end, the paramedic was allowed to go to the hospital without delay.
Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford declined to comment Tuesday.